Lebanon joins India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Ports Club

According to the written statement made by the Beirut Port management, the joint declaration was signed by Mervan en-Nefiy, Chairman of the Board of Beirut Port, and Iskender Bendeli, Chairman of the Board of Tripoli Port, on behalf of Lebanon, at the signing ceremony held in New Delhi, the capital of India.

In the statement, it was stated that IMEC Ports Club was established as an open platform that encourages dialogue and cooperation between ports without creating a new institutional structure.

It was stated that the priority areas of cooperation include logistics connections and supply chains, trade facilitation, reduction of energy and carbon emissions, and digitalization and data integration.

"An important institutional success for Lebanon"

In his statement on the subject, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun evaluated the participation of Beirut and Tripoli ports in the IMEC Ports Club.

Stating that the step in question is an important institutional success for Lebanon, Avn said, "This agreement is a real opportunity to strengthen our partnerships and develop our logistics and trade sector according to the latest global standards. The agreement reached in New Delhi is a practical step that reinforces Lebanon's presence on the regional and international cooperation map." he said.

IMEC Project

India, the USA, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy and the European Union (EU) signed a memorandum of understanding in September 2023 on the establishment of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which aims to improve trade, energy transfer and digital connectivity.

The project consists of two main routes: the "Eastern Corridor" connecting India to West Asia and the Middle East, and the "Northern Corridor" connecting the region to Europe.

The route runs from Mumbai, India, by sea to the port of Dede in the UAE, then by rail to the Port of Haifa, Israel, via the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, then by sea to the Port of Piraeus, Greece, and by land to Europe.

IMEC Ports Club was officially launched in May, following the memorandum of understanding signed between the ports of India and France in February.